Pear tree named ‘PE4UNIBO’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Pyrus communis  L. pear tree variety named ‘PE4UNIBO’ is particularly characterized by the following features: medium vigorous trees with semi-upright habit; bearing habitus mainly on 1 year old shoots and subsequently on 2-3 years old branches (like ‘Bartlett’); partial grafting incompatibility with quince rootstocks; medium late ripening (about 15 days after ‘Bartlett’); medium productivity; big size of the fruit (about 300 g) with pyriform-elongated shape (like ‘Abbé Fétel’); yellow-green skin with a nice red over-color on 70-80% of surface; tender and juicy white flesh, at full ripening stage and with a very good flavor and sweet taste; long storage capacity in cold room up to 6 months.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Pyrus communisL.

Variety denomination: ‘PE4UNIBO’.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to European Community Plant VarietyOffice Plant Breeders' Rights Application No. 2014/0972 filed May 9,2014.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of peartree, botanically known as Pyrus communis L. of the Rosaceae family, andhereinafter referred to by the variety denomination ‘PE4UNIBO’.

The new Pyrus variety is a product of a controlled breeding programconducted by the inventors, Stefano Musacchi, Silviero Sansavini andVincenzo Ancarani, in Cadriano (Bologna), Italy. The variety is fullyowned by Alma Mater Studiorum—Università di Bologna. The objective ofthe breeding program was to develop a new Pyrus variety with high fruitquality, attractive fruit with red over-color and long storability incold room.

The new Pyrus variety originated from a cross made by the inventors in1992 in Cadriano (Bologna), Italy. The female or seed parent is thePyrus communis L. variety designated ‘Abbé Fétel’ (unpatented). The maleor pollen parent is the Pyrus communis L. variety designated ‘Cascade’(unpatented). The new Pyrus variety was discovered and selected by theinventors within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlledenvironment in 2003 in Cadriano (Bologna), Italy.

Asexual reproduction of the new Pyrus variety by budding and graftingwas first performed in August 2003 in Cadriano (Bologna), Italy, and hasdemonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosedfor the new variety are firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations of asexual reproduction. The new variety reproduces true totype.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘PE4UNIBO’ which in combination distinguishthis pear tree as a new and distinct variety:

-   -   1. Trees with medium vigor;    -   2. Medium productivity;    -   3. High quality fruit with good flavor;    -   4. Large fruit size;    -   5. Green-yellow skin with a nice red overcolor; and    -   6. Long storage capacity

In comparison to the parental varieties ‘Abbé Fétel’ and ‘Cascade’, theclaimed variety differs primarily in the traits listed in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Female Parent Male Parent New Variety ‘Abbé Fétel’ ‘Cascade’Trait ‘PE4UNIBO’ (unpatented) (unpatented) Compatibility PartiallyPartially Partially with quince rootstock Fruit Shape Pyriform PyriformTurbinate elongated elongated Fruit Size Large Large Large Skin colorGreen-yellow with Yellow Yellow with red red overcolor overcolor on 90%of skin Taste Sweet Sweet Sweet Harvest time Medium late Late (30 Late(20 (15 days after days after days after ‘Bartlett’ pear) ‘Bartlett’pear) ‘Bartlett’ pear)

Of the many commercial varieties known to the present inventor(s), themost similar in comparison to the new Pyrus variety ‘PE4UNIBO’ is thePyrus variety ‘Bartlett’ (unpatented), in the following characteristicsdescribed in Table 2:

TABLE 2 New Variety Comparison Variety Characteristic ‘PE4UNIBO’‘BARTLETT’ Growth habit Semi-upright Upright Compatibility PartiallyPartially with quince rootstock Skin color Green-yellow with red Yellowovercolor on 90% of skin Fruit Shape Pyriform elongated Pyriformelongated Size Large Large Harvest time Medium late (15 days Late (30days after after ‘Bartlett’ pear) ‘Bartlett’ pear)

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Pyrus variety ‘PE4UNIBO’ showing the colors as true as is reasonablypossible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of‘PE4UNIBO’.

FIG. 1—shows a tree of ‘PE4UNIBO’, at six years old;

FIG. 2—shows typical fruits of ‘PE4UNIBO’;

FIG. 3—shows the leaves of ‘PE4UNIBO’;

FIGS. 4 and 5—show different images of the flowers of ‘PE4UNIBO’, atfull bloom.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Pyrus variety ‘PE4UNIBO’ has not been observed under allpossible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new variety mayvary with variations in environment such as temperature, lightintensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the peartree.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe trees of ‘PE4UNIBO’ asgrown in the pear farm in Cadriano (Bologna), Italy, under conditionswhich closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice.The pear farm in which PE4UNIBO is growing has a clay soil; the climateis temperate continental with high summer temperatures and low wintertemperatures; the orchard has a drip irrigation system used forfertigation.

Unless otherwise stated, the detailed botanical description includesobservations, measurements and values based on six years old ‘PE4UNIBO’trees grown in the pear farm in Cadriano (Bologna), Italy from 2009 to2014. Quantified measurements are expressed as an average ofmeasurements taken from a number of trees of ‘PE4UNIBO’. Themeasurements of any individual tree, or any group of trees, of the newvariety may vary from the stated average.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.), except where general colors of ordinary significance areused. Color values were taken under daylight conditions at approximately10:00 am in Cadriano (Bologna), Italy.

All of the trees of ‘PE4UNIBO’, insofar as they have been observed, havebeen identical in all the characteristics described below.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Pyrus communis L.        -   Commercial.—Pyrus cv. PE4UNIBO.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent.—Pyrus variety designated ‘Abbé Fétel’            (unpatented).        -   Male or pollen parent.—Pyrus variety designated ‘Cascade’            (unpatented).-   Propagation: Budding and grafting.-   Growing conditions:    -   -   Light intensities.—Full sunlight.        -   Temperature (in the vegetative season, from March to            September, year 2013).—Minimum: 0.1° C. in March. Maximum:            38.9° C. in August. Medium: 8° C. (March) to 26.3° C.            (July).        -   Fertilization.—A balanced fertilizer with level of N 80            kg/ha; P₂O₅ 50 kg/ha; K₂O 120 kg/ha.        -   Growth regulators.—Not used.        -   Pruning or trimming requirements.—Winter pruning.-   Tree:    -   -   Age.—Observed trees were six years old and grafted on quince            Rootstock BA29 with interstem of Burré Hardy pear.        -   Vigor.—Medium vigor; early bearing; late and medium            flowering; medium productivity; no biennial bearing.            Partially compatible with quince when grafted on it.        -   Type of bearing.—In the early years bears fruit mainly on            one year old shoots then on 2-3 years branches (like            ‘Bartlett’).        -   Form.—Semi-Upright habitus and conical branches inserted            with a narrow crotch angle. Form depends on the training            system used.        -   Habit.—Semi-upright habitus. Medium-high sized tree with one            trunk and one leader; main branches spreading laterally            semi-upward but the new growth is upright; symmetrical crown            and rounded shape. The one year old shoots have a “zig-zag”            growth pattern.        -   Branching habit.—Main branches angle is 35° to 75° with            respect to trunk if allowed to grow naturally. The crotch            angle changes along the trunk: the basal branches have a            more right crotch angle whereas the upper and apical            branches have a more narrow crotch angle.        -   Density.—Medium-low density.        -   Size at maturity.—Height: About 3 m. Spread: About 1.55 m.        -   Trunk.—Height (up to leaders): About 2.7 m. Diameter: About            51.3 mm (measured 20 cm above the grafter point). Texture:            At first, it is smooth with numerous lenticels, then it            shows numerous rough lenticels and with cracking and scaly            appearance. Bark color: Primarily RHS 197C with RHS 187A            under bark. Trunk Lenticels (irregular from rounded to            elongated): Length: About 3.3 mm (from 0.85 to 6.02 mm).            Width: About 1.1 mm (from 0.34 to 1.63 mm). Color: RHS 197A.            Density: 2.01 n°/cm².        -   Branches,—Number per tree: About 14 (from 10 to 17). Length:            Varies due to pyramidal shape of tree; maximum of 70 cm to            110 cm; minimum of 15 cm to 50 cm. Diameter: About 10.3 mm            to 27.6 mm. Surface texture: The 2 years old branches are            smooth; thereafter the 3 years old branches show a rough            surface with numerous scaly lenticels. Pubescence: Absent.        -   Color.—Mature (after about 3 years old): RHS 201B (sunny            side); RHS 201A (shady side). New Growth: RHS 176A (sunny            side); RHS 177B (shady side). Internode length (in the            middle of branches): About 3.0 cm (About 2.5 cm to 4 cm).            Internode diameter (in the middle of branches): About 4.5 mm            (About 3.8 mm to 5.2 mm). Branch lenticels: rounded. Length:            About 1.45 mm. Width: About 1.63 mm. Color: RHS 168C.            Density: 1.95 n°/cm². One year old shoot lenticels (from            elliptic to rounded): Length: About 0.87 mm to 2.57 mm.            Width: About 0.8 mm to 1.17 mm. Color: RHS 168D. Density:            2.6 n°/cm².        -   Spur.—Present: Yes. Distance between each spur: On the 3            years old branches, the distance is about 25 mm to 50 mm.            Diameter of each spur: About 3.92 mm. Number of fruit per            spur: About 1 to 3.        -   Leaves.—Arrangement: Alternate; in the new shoot there are            multiple leaves (normally 3), petiolated; arranged upwards            in relation to the shoot.        -   Lamina.—Size: Length: About 60.2 mm (from 48 to 82 fully            expanded leaf). Width: About 40.1 mm (from 27 to 62 fully            expanded leaf). Length/width ratio: 1.5. Overall Shape: the            shape of leaf blade is oval-obovate with a medium-short            pointed tip; the leaf area is medium-small: 19.4 cm²; the            longitudinal axis is medium curved. Base shape:            right-angled. Apex shape: from right-angled to obtuse.            Margin: bluntly serrate with a medium depth of incisions of            margin. Texture: Upper surface: glabrous. Under surface:            glabrous. Pubescence: Upper surface: absent. Under surface:            absent. Color (mature leaves): Upper surface: RHS 147A.            Under surface: RHS 147C. Color (immature leaves): Upper            surface: RHS 146A. Under surface: RHS 147C.        -   Venation.—Type: pinnate venation from central vein to the            leaf edge. Color: RHS 153A.        -   Petiole.—Length: About 25.7 mm. Diameter: About 10.2 mm.            Color: RHS 144C.        -   Stipule.—Arrangement: present; normally arranged at the base            of the petiole. Length (distance of stipules from basal            attachment of petiole): About 0 mm to 10 mm. Width: About 4            mm to 17 mm.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Blooming time.—Full bloom on about April 5^(th) (late            flowering).        -   Blooming period.—About 7 to 10 days.        -   Fragrance.—Not detected.        -   Type.—Corymb.        -   Number of flowers per inflorescence.—About 4 to 6.        -   Inflorescence size.—Diameter: About 9 cm. Depth: About 6 cm.        -   Buds.—Terminal Buds: Number per spur: About 1 to 2. Shape:            large and pointed. Length: About 6.98 mm. Width: About            4.53 mm. Color: Apex, RHS 165A and base, RHS 165A. Texture:            Slightly tomentose; the bud support is medium sized.            Pubescence: present; RHS 167A. Lateral Buds: Number per            spur: About 1. Shape: medium size and pointed; the position            of vegetative bud in relation to shoot is slightly held out;            the bud support has generally a medium size. Length: About            5.67 mm. Width: About 2.94 mm. Color: Apex, RHS 165A, and            base, RHS 165A. Texture: slightly tomentose. Pubescence: RHS            167A. Flower Buds (on 2 years old branches): Number per            spur: 1. Shape: small and pointed. Length: About 6.98 mm.            Width: About 3.44 mm. Color: RHS 165A.        -   Petals.—Number per flower: Five. Overall shape: the margins            of petals touch each other. Apex shape: rounded to            elongated. Base shape: rounded. Texture (upper surface):            smooth. Texture (lower surface): smooth. Margin: entire,            slightly corrugated.        -   Sepals.—Number per flower: Five.-   Fruit:    -   -   Keeping quality.—The fruit keeps well on the tree; The fruit            can be stored in cold temperature conditions for up to 6            months without loss of firmness and juiciness. The shelf            life ranges from one to two weeks without having a loss of            firmness and juiciness.        -   Maturity when described.—Ripe for eating.        -   Maturity period after full bloom.—About 142 days after full            bloom on August 25^(th).        -   Type.—Pome.        -   General shape.—Pyriform elongated (like ‘Abbé Fétel’), with            the maximum diameter clearly towards calyx; the fruit            profile is concave. The stem ranges from medium-large to            large, sometime without the stalk cavity. The skin shows a            red over-color on the 70-80% of surface and slight            russeting. The lenticels are medium-small and rusty. Average            weight: About 303 g.        -   Fruit size.—Average height: About 114.7 mm. Average diameter            (at widest point): About 67.0 mm. Height/thickness ratio:            1.7.        -   Stem.—Length: About 25.4 mm. Diameter: About 6.4 mm. Color:            RHS 199A.        -   Basin.—Depth: About 8.2 mm. Width: About 22.3 mm.        -   Calyx.—Depth: About 5.3 mm. Width: About 5.6 mm. Crowning at            calyx end: weak. Calyx tube: Closed (it does not communicate            with locules); at harvest, the sepals are converging or            erect.        -   Skin.—Thickness: medium. Texture: smooth to slightly rough.            Color: ground color: RHS 153A; over-color: RHS 178B.            Lenticels: rounded and rough. Length: About 1.38 mm. Width:            About 1.27 mm. Color: RHS 197A. Density: 24 n°/cm².        -   Flesh.—Firmness (at picking time): 5.5 to 6.5 kg/cm². Color:            RHS 157C. Texture: fine, tender and juicy. Aroma: rather            aromatic, good flavor and sweet taste. Sugar content (at            picking time): 13.1 to 13.6° Brix. Acidity/Starch (at            picking time) 3.75 to 3.79 g/lt malic acid. Core: Symmetry            of core: slightly asymmetric. Distinctness of core lines:            medium. Locules: Number (per fruit): 5. Length: About            17.8 mm. Width: About 8.35 mm. Form: open.-   Seeds:    -   -   Number per fruit.—About 2 to 10.        -   Number per locule.—About 2.        -   Shape.—Elliptic.        -   Length.—About 11.1 mm.        -   Width.—About 5.4 mm.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—RHS 165A.-   Use: Fresh market.-   Disease/pest resistance: Unknown; test for tolerance to Fire Blight    (Erwinia amylovora) in progress.-   Disease/pest susceptibility: None observed.-   Winter hardiness: No winter cold damage to wood and buds of dormant    pear trees have been observed during the years; but open flowers and    young fruitlets are killed by exposure to −1.5 to −3° C., depending    on the length of exposure.-   Drought/heat tolerance: Tolerant to temperatures up to 38° C.,    growth is limited by drought periods without irrigation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Pyrus communis L.pear tree named ‘PE4UNIBO’, as illustrated and described herein.